There is a little trick in dealing with the names of communities, in that several are considered plural, instead of singular :
Singluar | Plural |
Sanikiluaq | Iqaluit |
Kimmirut | Kinngait |
Qamanittuaq | Naujaat |
Uqsuqtuuq | Arviat |
Qurluqtuq | Salliit |
This affects what affix we can use with them. For the singular place names, we use -mi, -mut, & -mit. For the plural place names we have to use -ni, -nut, & -nit :
Namiippit? | |
Sanikiluarmi (singular) | Iqalunni (plural) |
Namuungaqqit? | |
Ikpiarjummut (singular) | Sallirnut (plural) |
Nakingaaqqit? | |
Uqsuqtuurmit (singular) | Kinngarnit (plural) |
The affixes -miit-, -muuq-, and -minngaaq- also follow this pattern :
Singluar | Plural |
Uqsuqtuumuuqtunga | Arvianuuqtunga |
I am going to Gjoa Haven. | I am going to Arviat. |
Iqaluktuuttiarmiittuq | Kinngarniittuq |
She is in Cambridge Bay. | She is in Kinngait. |
When using the plural endings -ni, -nut, & -nit, remember to tack them on to the singular form of the noun :
Iqaluit | Iqaluit; also fishes |
iqaluk | fish |
Iqalunni | in Iqaluit |
Salliit | Coral Harbour; also flat hills |
salliq | flat hill |
Sallirni | in Coral Harbour |